Rawat sting politically motivated: Sibal

Nainital: The Uttarkhand high court today posted for September 17 the hearing in a petition filed by Chief Minister Harish Rawat against institution of a CBI enquiry in the sting operation against him.

Congress MP and senior Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal, while appearing for Rawat contended that the contents of the sting CD were not objectionable, and the FIR in the case was liable to be quashed as it was registered beyond the place where the incident occurred.

The alleged sting operation by Umesh Sharma took place at Dehradun but its CD was released in Delhi by expelled Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat, who later joined BJP, Sibal said.

While the sting took place at Dehradun, the FIR was registered in Delhi. This shows the malice in the act of the complainant, he said.

After hearing the petitioner, Justice UC Dhyani posted the matter for September 17.

Later, addressing the journalists Sibal said the alleged sting operation was politically motivated and it was Harak Singh Rawat and Umesh Sharma who are liable to face a CBI probe.

“CBI probe in sting operation case against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is politically motivated and not required at all,” Sibal said.

If anybody is to be inquired in the matter, it should be Harak Singh Rawat, the expelled Congress leader who later joined BJP and Umesh Sharma, who did the sting on Uttarkhand Chief Minister, he added.